Laundry pressing machine



July 9,1940.

1.. M. KAI-IN ET AL LAUNDRY PRESSING' MACHINE I Filed Dec. 23, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 1 I j g/a4 IN V EN TORJ m, M T T A 4 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY y 9, 1940- 1.. M. KAHN ET AL LAUNDRY PRESSING MACHINE FiledDec. 23, 1936 y 9 1940. 1. M. KAHN ET AL 2 207,095

LAUNDRY PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VENTORsATTORNEY.

July 9, 1940. 1.. M. KAHN El AL LAUNDRY PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec 23,1936 4. Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented July 9, 1940 LAUNDRYPRESSING 'MACHINE Leo M. Kahn and Frank J. Kahn, New York, N. Y.; saidFrank J. Kahn a nor to d Leo M. Kahn Application December-.23, 1936,Serial No. 117,312

28 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pressing machines of the typegenerally used in laundries and particularly to a pressing machinehaving superimposed independent upper and lower ironing units which maybe successively utilized by one operator.

An object of this invention is to provide a pressing machine havingupper and lower ironing units, comprising asubstantially fixed upperironing element, a movable lower ironing element, a coacting duplexintermediate element and means for causing the lower element to beraised to a predetermined operating position when the intermediateelement is raised into ironing position.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for locking theintermediate element in the upper or lower ironing positions, and meansfor producing an ironing pressure selectively go in said upper and lowerironing units when in said locked positions.

Another objects ofthis invention isto provide a pressing machine havingupper and lower ironing units in vertically spaced relation and com- 5prising vertically reciprocable actuating mechanism contained in asingle frame to thereby conserve fioor space and save the time andenergy of the operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressing machine havingupper and lower independent ironing units, a movable duplex intermediateironing element, and a lower ironing. element, which may be moved topredetermined operating position when the intermediate duplex 5 elementis raised into coacting ironing position with the upper ironing element.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressing machine havingupper and lower ironing units, comprising an upper ironing elementhaving a steam chest in which 'steam is confined, a duplex intermediateironing element having a steam chest as its lower face and a worksupporting surface as its upper face, and a lower work supportingironing element.

With the above and other objects inview, the invention will behereinafter more particularly described and the combination andarrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims which 1 form part of the specification.

Reference will now be had'to the drawings wherein like numerals ofreference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

in which:

the ironing surface 26 in horizontally disposed- Figure 1 is an endelevation of the. pressing machine.

Figure 2 is a front elevation partly in section, the section being takenas on line 2-2 in Figure 1. v 5

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, the section being takenas on line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end view of the combination or duplex buck. 10 Figure 5is an end view of a modified pressing machine having upper and lowerironing units positioned in separate vertical planes, and having aduplex intermediate ironing member movable horizontally between saidironing units. 15

Figure 6 is an end view of a modified pressing machine having upper andlower ironing units positioned in angular relation, and having a duplexintermediate, ironing member pivotally mounted for swinging motionbetween said iron- 20 ing units.

Figure '7 is an end view of a modified pressing machine of the jaw type,having upper and lower ironing units positioned in angular relation, andhaving a duplex intermediate ironing member pivotally mounted and heldcentrally for swinging motion between said ironing units.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the embodiment of the invention shownin Figure 5.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention 30 shown in Figures 1 to4 inclusive, the several views show a pressing machine of the typegenerally used in laundries and comprising a frame I!) having uprights iI, ll, provided with extension ribs H to receive tie rods i2, saiduprights be- 35 ing aflixed at their lower ends to a cross-member It, asfor example by bolts, not shown, or by welding. The lower cross-memberl3 preferably comprises bifurcated uprights l4 providing a centralopening therebetween (not shown) designed. 40 to permit upright motionof a cross-bar It.

The ends of the cross-bar it have apertured bosses I! designed toreceive tubular uprights i8, i8 which may be fixed to the bosses by pinsIS. The tubular uprights i8 are supported adjacent to their upper endsin'bearings 20 at the upper elevation of the uprights II, and at theirlower ends in bearings 2i in the base portions 22 of p the frame.

Mounted on the upper portions of the tubular uprights i8 is a heatedironing element 23 hav- 5o i'ng apertured bosses 24, through which thesaid uprights pass and pins 25 may be used to fasten the ironing element23 to the uprights 18 with position. Open coil springs 21 resting on thebearings 28 support the ironing element 23 in a resilient manner. Atoggle Joint 28 having arms 29, 29 hinged at 30 and pivotally mounted onpivots 3| and 32, is operatively connected to a cylin-' der 33. Thecylinder 33 may be secured to the cross-member i3 on a pivot 34.

Motive fluid is supplied to the cylinder 33 through an inlet conduit 35.An outlet conduit 36 is provided for exhaust fluid. It is thus possibleby admitting motive fluid to the cylinder 33 to actuate the piston rod31 and the toggle 28 and cause a slight lowering of the bar 13 and theironing member 23 against the resilient action of the springs 21 for. apurpose which will appear later in this specification.

A buck 40 having an upper work supporting surface 4| and a lowerhorizontal plate 4| rests upon the upper surface of the cross-member i3.The ends 42 of the plate 4| extend beyond and .overhang the uprights I4.The plate 4| has centrally positioned end openings 43 which engage.

the tubular uprights |8 in slidable relation.

Mounted centrally of the uprights ii, are cylinders 45, having pistonrods 48 operatively positioned therein. Extension arms 41, secured atthe upper end of the piston rods 48, are designed to support acombination or duplex buck 48. The buck 48 comprises an upper worksupporting ironing surface 49 and a lower heated ironing surface 50which are positioned in spaced horizontal relation. The lower ironingsurface 59 may comprise the face of a steam-chest heated in the usualmanner and the upper work-supporting ironing surface 49 may be padded inthe usual manner and adapted for the reception of work to be ironed. Thesteam-chest of which the surface 50 is a part is preferably separatedfrom the work-receiving surface 49 by a neck or other narrow support,thus providing in the 'element 48 an undercut portion between thework-receiving surface 49 and the heated ironing surface 58 for thereception of work overhanging from 1 the surface 49. Such a structure isreadilyadapted to the handling of large pieces without having theoverhang come in contact with the lower ironing surface 59. Motive fluidis supplied to the cylinders 45, best shown in Fig. 1, through an inletconduit 5| and an outlet conduit 52 is provided for the exhaust fluid.The inlet and outlet conduits'pass through a self-closing fluid pressuresupply valve 53 having a motive fluid supply conduitat 54. The valve 83has a springpressed push button 55 for admitting the motive fluidfromthe conduit 84.

It may be found desirable to raise the lower buck 40 to a higher loadingposition than that shown in Fig. 2. For this purpose,'there are providedarms 81, attached to .the extension ironing element 23 would then haveto conform.

It is to be noted that instead of the duplex buck 48 having. upper andlower, ironing surfaces.

which move as a unit, these upper and lower in- When the buck 48 istermediate ironing surfaces may be separately and independently movableand still coact to accomplish the purposes of the present invention.

The operation of the pressing machine is as follows: I

Assume the elements of the device are in the position shown in solidlines in Figures 1 and 2. Damp work to be ironed is placed on the uppersurface 49 of the buck 48 and when laid properly, the operatormomentarily pressescontrol handles 58 downwardly part way, and lowersthe rods 58 which are held upwardly by spring 58 thereby actuating theangular levers 59 against the springs 80 and releasing the lockingmembers 51. It is to be understood that while Fig. 2 shows the mechanismnow being described at only one side of the device, for clarity, it ispreferably duplicated at the other side of the machine so that lookingmembers 51 which may be provided at either side of the. member 48 may besimultaneously released.

The operator then presses the push button 55 of the valve 53 to admitmotive fluid into the cylinders 45 to cause the buck 48 to move upwardlyagainst the heated ironing element 23 as best shown in dot-and-dashlines in Figure 2. As the .buck 48 rises into its upper position thelocking members 51 pivotally mounted at 41' on the buck extension arms41 of the buck 48 are pressed into engagement with the lugs 8| in theframe II by leaf-springs 92. Similar lugs 8|, on the tubular uprights I1and leaf springs 62' are shown in the low position. Similar angularlevers 59 in the low position are simultaneously operated by the rods58. In the upper position, the buck 48 contacts a plunger 63 of an inletvalve 13 having an inlet conduit 83 and which valve may be of anystandard type. The movement of the plunger 93 causes motive fluid topass through the conduit 35'to actuate piston 27 and the toggle 28, thuspushing the bar It and the tubular uprights l8 downwardly and loweringthe heated ironing element 23'so as to cause heavy ironing pressureagainst the work placed on the surface 49 of the buck 48 which is lockedagainst downward movement by the engagement of the elements 51 with thenotches 8|.

As it requires from 20 to 30 seconds to dry and iron an average damparticle, it is an object of this invention to utilize this waiting timeof the operator -to place another damp article on the buck 48. The buck40 is made accessible by moving the intermediate buck 48 to the upperposition shownby the dot-and-dash lines. When the damp article has beenproperly placed on the lower buck 40 and the operator isready for sameto be ironed, the buck 49 having the heated ironing surface 59. isbrought downward through the action of the operator in depressing thecontrol levers 58 to the extreme downward position so as to move theplungers i3 and 36 of the valves 83 and", thus exhausting the motivefluid from the cylinders and 33. Plunger 38' is moved at once andslightly before plunger 83' by the downward movement of a rod 64attached at 4! to the rod 58 (see Fig. 1), exhausting the motive fluidpressure in cylinder 33 and releasing the pressure. against the buck 48,making it easier for the operator to move the locking members 51 out ofholding position. when the intermediate element drops to the lowerironing position, pressure is exerted by the surface 98 against the'surface 4| in the following manner. The element 48 contacts a plunger63on a valve 13 suitably positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and operative inthe manner heretofore described in connection with the description ofthe upper valve and plunger similarly numbered, to build up fluidpressure in the cylinder 33 and through the toggle 28 to force downagainst the element 40 the element 48, which islocked with respect tothe elements I8 by the elements 51 which bear against the notches BI inthe elements I0.

It will thus be seen that the novelty of the invention resides in acombination or duplex buck which serves a double purpose and allows forthe saving of floor space due to its vertical movement into two servicepositions. By cont'acting its upper supporting surfaces 43 with theheated ironing surface of the upper ironing element 23 and therebygiving access to the work supporting surface of the lower buck and bycontacting its lower ironing surface 50 with the buck 40 when broughtinto the low position, the operator is constantly occupied in gettingwork ready to be ironed.

As shown inFigures 5 and 8, there has been provided a modified pressingmachine I00 having an upper ironing element IN and a lower ironingelement I02 which are positioned in separate vertical planes.- A duplexintermediate ironingmember I03 having an upper ironing surface I04 and-alower ironing surface I05 has been mounted on extensions I05 which aredesigned to move horizontally in guide slots I0'I between the ironingelements IOI and I02.

An arm I08 pivotallymounted on a pivot I09 and actuated by a motivefluid member 0 may serve to cause the horizontal reciprocating motionsof the duplex ironing member I03.

Means to provide pressure between adjacent ironing surfaces is shown inFig. 8. Cylinders I50 and I 5| mounted above the head IM and below thebuck I02 may be connected to rotary cams I52 and I53 so that byadmission of air to either cylinder either cam may be rotated andpressure applied to either pair of contiguous surfaces. a

It will be readily seen that the modified pressing machine functions toprovide an upper ironing unit III and a lower ironing unit II2 which areindependent of each other.

As shown in Figure 6, there has been provided a modified pressingmachine II5 having an upper ironing element-I I5 and a lower ironingelement II'I positioned in angular relation. A duplex intermediateironing member IIO having an upper ironing surface IIQ and a lowerironing surface I has been' niounted for swinging motionon arms I2lbetween the ironing elements IIS and Ill. 'The'arms I2I are respectivelypositioned at opposite sides of the member H8 and are pivotally *mountedon a pivot I2! which may operate in angular slots I22 designedto permitraising and lowering the member I I8 against the upper and lower ironingelements H5 and III in order to apply a heavy ironing pressure in theupper ironing unit I23 and the lower ironing unit I24. A motive fluidmember I25 may be used to cause the swinging motion of the member IIB. a

As shown in Figure '7, there has been provided a modified pressingmachine of the jaw type I30, having an upper ironing element I3I and alower ir ning element I32 positioned in obtuse angular relation.

A duplex intermediate ironing member I33 having an upper ironing surfaceI34 and a lower ironing surface I35 has been pivotally mounted forswinging motion on an arm I31 and a pivot m. A'motive fluid member In mybe employed to actuate a toggle I39 and raise and lower an arm I40 whichbrings the duplex member I33 into coacting relation with the upper andlower ironing surfaces I3I and I32.

It is to be noted that in all the embodiments herewith shown, the duplexintermediate member which forms one of the main features of thisinvention, has a steam chest where steam is confined under pressure inits lower ironing surface, and that the stationary upper steam chestlikewise serves to confine the steam under pressure for ironing purposeswhich forms part of the upper ironing unit.

Having thus described several embodiments of our invention, what weclaim is: v

1. In a pressing machine, in combination, a buck member, a head memberand an intermediate element comprising an upper buck portion and a lowerpressing portion, means for so spacing said portions as to provide arecess therebetween for the reception of work, means -'for moving saidintermediate element into engagement with said head member, means forexerting p L'essure between said element and said member, means formoving said intermediate element into pressing engagement with said buckmember and for simultaneously moving the buck portion of said element toworkreceiving position, and means for exerting pressure between thepressing portion of said element and said buck member.

2. In a pressing machine, in combination, a buck member, a head memberand an intermediate element comprising an upper buck portion and a lowerpressing portion, means for so spacing said portions as to provide arecess therebetween for the reception of work, means for moving saidintermediate element into engagement with said head member, means forlocking said element and member together, means for exerting pressurebetween said element and said member by moving said member against saidelement, means for moving said intermediate element into pressingengagement with said buck member and for simultaneously moving the buckportion of said element to work-receiving position, and means forexerting pressure between the pressing portion of said element and saidbuck member. V

3,. In a pressing machine, in combination, a

mediate element comprising an upper buck portion and a lower pressingportion, means for so spacing said portions as to provide a recesstherebetween for the reception of the overhang of work, means for movingsaid intermediate element into engagement with said head member, meansfor exertingpressure between said element and said member, means formoving said intermediate element into pressing. engagement with saidbuck member and for simultaneously moving the buck portion of saidelement to work receiving position, and means for exerting pressurebetween the pressing portion of said element and said buck member, allof said pressure.- exerting means being separate from the means formoving said intermediate element.

4. In a pressing machine, in combination, a

buck member, a head member and an intermediate element comprising awork-receiving upper buck portion and a lower pressing portioncomprising a steam-chest, means for so spacing said portions as toprovide a recess therebetween for the reception of work, means formoving said for exerting pressure between the pressing portion of saidelement and said buck member, said pressure-exerting means beingcontrolled by mechanism automatically operative upon substantialengagement of said intermediate element witheither one of said members.

5. In a pressing machine, in combination, a buck member, a head memberand an intermediate element comprising an upper buck portion and a lowerpressing portion, means for so spacing said portions as to provide arecess therebetween for the reception of work, means for moving saidintermediate element into engagement with said head member, means forexerting pressure between said element and said member, means for movingsaid intermediate element into pressing engagement with said buck memberand for simultaneously moving the buck portion of said element towork-receiving position, means for exerting pressure between thepressing portion of said element and said buck member, and means forreleasing the pressure between said intermediate element and either vofsaid members before motion of said element with respect to either ofsaid members.

6. In a pressing machine, in combination, a head member, a buck memberand an intermediate duplex element comprising spaced buck and headportions, means to move said buck member between an elevatedwork-receiving position and a lower pressing position, means to movesaid duplex element between an elevated pressing position in contactwith said head member and a lower work-receiving position in contactwith said buck member, and means for exerting pressure between said headmember and the buck portion of said duplex member, and between said buckmember and the head portion of said duplex member.

7. In a pressing machine, in combination, a head member, a buck memberand an intermediate duplex element comprising spaced buck and headportions, means to move said buck member between a work-receivingposition 'and a pressing position, means to move said duplex elementbetween a pressing position in contact with said head member and awork-receiving position in contact wtih said buck member, and means forexerting pressure between said head member and the buck portion of saidduplex member, and between said buck member and the head portion of saidduplex member.

V 8. In a pressing machine, in 'combination, a head member, a buckmember and an intermediate duplex element comprising spaced buck andhead portions, means to move said buck member between an elevatedwork-receiving position and a lower pressing position, means to movesaid duplex element between an elevated pressing position in contactwith said head member and a lower work-receiving position in contactwith said buck member, locking means for holding said duplex element inalternate locked engagement.

with each of said members, and means for exerting pressure between saidhead member and the buck portion of said duplex member, and between saidbuck member and the head portion of said duplex member. s I

aaoaoae 9. In a pressing machine, in combination, a head member, a buckmember and an intermediate duplex element comprising spaced buck andhead portions, means responsive to motion of said duplex member to movesaid buck member between an elevated work-receiving position and a lowerpressing position, means to move said duplex element between an elevatedpressing position in contact with said head member and a lowerwork-receiving position in contact with said buck member, and means forexerting ironing pressure between said head member and the buck portionof said duplex member, and between said buck member and the head portionof said duplex member.

10. In a pressing machine, in combination, a head member, a buck memberand an intermediate duplex element comprising spaced-buck and headportions, means to move said buck member between a work-receivingposition and a pressing position, means to move said duplex elementbetween a pressing position in contact with said head member and awork-receiving position in contact with said buck member, means forexerting ironing pressure between said head member and the buck portionof said duplex member and between said buck member and the head portionof said duplex member; and means for automatically releasing saidironing pressure before the means for moving the duplex element becomeseffective.

ing surface, guide means associated with said frame for guiding saidduplex member from a position with its work-supporting surface incontact with said head to a position with its workpressing surface incontact with said buck, means to move said duplex member along saidguide means, locking means associated with said duplex member forholding said member in engagement with either said head or with saidbuck, means to force said head into pressing engagement with said duplexmember after said duplex member has been locked with respect to saidhead, and means to effect a release of said pressure before said lockingmeans is disengaged.

12. A press of the character described comprising frame elements, apressing head yieldingly supported on said frame elements, a buck memberspacially positioned with respect to said head, a duplexwelementcomprising aAwork-supporting surface and a work-pressing surface spacedfrom each other by means providing a recess for work hanging from saidwork-supporting surface, guide means associated with said frame andcooperating with extensions from the work-pressing surface of saidduplex element for guiding said duplex member from a position with itswork-supporting surface in contact with said head to a position with itswork-pressing surface in contact with said buck without substantialchange in the angular position of the work-supporting surface of saidduplex element, means to move said duplex member along said guide means,locking means associated with said duplex member for holding said memberin engagement with said head into pressing engagement with said duplexmember after said duplex member has been locked with respect to saidhead, and means to effect a release of said pressure before said lockingmeans is disengaged.

13. A press comprising a head having a steamchest therein, a buck havinga padded work-receiving surface supported by a narrow neck, anintermediate element, supporting elements comprising guides on whichsaid buck and head and intermediate elements are mounted, saidintermediate element having a, second steam-chest and extensions uponsaid second steam-chest slidable upon said guides, a neck upon saidsecond steam-chest and a work-receiving surface supported by said neck,means for sliding said intermediate element from a position in contactwith said buck to position in contact with said head and meansdisconnected during said movement and engageable when the intermediateelement comes into contact with the head or with the buck for exertingpressure between said intermediate element and said head or buck.

14. A press of the character described having a head member and a buckmember spaced therefrom, an intermediate element movable therebetween,said element comprising a steam-chest and a narrow neck extending abovesaid chest and supporting awork-receiving surface, means for raisingsaid intermediate element from a loading position to a positionincontact with said head, and means for raising said buck from aposition in contact with the steam-chest of said intermediate element toa work-receiving position, said last-mentioned raising means beingadapted to function after said intermediate element has moved fromcontact with said buck.

15. A press of the character described having a head member and a buckmember spaced therefrom, an intermediate element movable therebetween,said element comprising a steam-chest and a narrow neck extending abovesaid chest and supporting a work-receiving surface, means for raisingsaid intermediate element from a loading position to a position incontact with said head, means for raising said buck from a position incontact with the steam-chest of said intermediate element to awork-receiving position, said last-mentioned raising means being adaptedto function after said intermediate element has moved from contact withsaid buck, and pressure-exerting means operative upon engagement by saidintermediate element with said buck and with said head to exert ironingpressure between adjacent surfaces of said intermediate element and saidbuck and said head.

16. A press of the character described having a head member and a buckmember spaced therefrom, an intermediate element movable therebetween,said element comprising a steam-chest and a narrow neck extending abovesaid chest and supporting a work-receiving surface, means for rai singsaid intermediate element from a loading position to a position incontact with said head,

means for raising said buck from a position in contact with thesteam-chest of said intermediate element to a work-receiving position,said lastmentiorrdfials iii'g means being adapted to function after saidintermediate element has moved from contact with said buck, andpressure-exerting means operative upon engagement by said intermediateelement with said buck and with said iiead to exert ironing pressurebetween adjacent surfaces of said intermediate element and said buck andsaidfheadand means for releasing said pressure-exerting means prior tomotion or said intermediate element.

17. A press oi the character described comprising a head member and abuck member spaced from each other, an intermediate element movablebetween them having a steam-chest, apadded work-receiving surfacecarried by said steamchest and spaced therefrom to provide an undercutportion, means connected to said steam-chest for moving saidintermediate element between a position in contact with said head and aposition in contact with said .buck, and means operative duringmovementof the intermediate element for moving one of the other members awayfrom its position of contactto facilitate loading.

' 18. Apress of the character described having a head and buck spacedfrom each other, an intermediate element movable between them, saidintermediate element having asteam-chest, a padded work-receivingsurface supported in spaced relation above said steam-chest, means formoving said intermediate element between a position to engage said buckand a position to engage said head, means for raising said buck from itscontact position with said intermediate element to a position forloading and means for coordinating said buck-moving means to operateduring move- 'ment of said intermediate element.

19. A press comprising a movable buck and a movable head, another buckand another head, said movable head having lugs extending outwardly fromits ends, a pair of vertical guides, said lugs being slidable on saidguides, a neck carried by said movable head for spacing said movablebuck therefrom, said movable buck being carried by said movable head,means for moving said movable head to bring said movable buck intoengagement with said other head andto bring said movable head intoengagement with said other buck, and means for automatically exertingpressure between the engaged elements upon engagement thereof.

20. A press comprising a movable head and a movable buck and anotherhead and another buck, said movable head and buck being connectedtogether to move as an intermediate element, a piston and cylinder formoving said intermediate element from a position in engagement with saidother buck to a position in engagement with said other head, a pistonand cylinder for pressing together said intermediate element and saidhead or buck upon engagement of said element therewith, manuallycontrolled means for admitting fluid to said first-mentioned cylinder,and means automatically controlled by the position .of said. element foradmitting fluid to said second-mentioned cylinder. y 21. A presscomprising a movable head and a movable buck and another head andanother buck, said movable head and buck. being connected together tomove as an intermediate element, a piston and cylinder for moving saidintermediate element from a position in engagement with said other buckto a position in engagement with said other head, a piston and cylinderfor pressing together said intermediate element and said head or buckupon engagement of said elementgtherewith anually controlled means forfirst-mentioned cylinder, means automatically ntrolled by the positionof said element for admittirig'fluid to said second- 22. A presscomprising a movable head and a movable buck and another head andanother buck, said movable head and buck being connected together tomove as an intermediate element, a piston and cylinder for moving saidintermediate element from a position in engagement with said other buckto a position in engagement with saidother head, a piston and cylinderfor pressing together said intermediate element and said head or buckupon engagement of said element therewith, manually controlled means foradmitting fluid to saidfirst-mentioned cylinder, means automaticallycontrolled by the position of said element for admitting fluid to saidsecond-mentioned cylinder, and means for releasing the .fluid pressurein said second cylinder before altering the fluid pressure in said firstcylinder;

23. A press comprising in combination a head member, a buck member and amovable intermediate element having a cut-out portion to receive theoverhanging work, means for moving it from a position in contact withone member to a position in contact with the other, means actuated bythe position of the intermediate element for locking it in position withrespect to either of the other members when it is in contact therewith,means for thereupon exerting pressure between the intermediate elementand the adjacent member, and common means for releasing the lockingmeans and the pressure-exerting means and for actuating said movingmeans.

24. A press comprising in combination a head member, a buck member and amovable interme-.

diate element having a cut-out portion to receive the overhanging work,means for moving it from a position in contact with one member to aposition in contact with the'othenmeans actuated by the position of theintermediae element for' 4,0 locking it in position with respect toeither of the other members when it is in contact therewith, means forthereupon exerting pressure between the intermediate element and theadjacent member, common means for releasing the locking means and thepressure-exerting means and for actuating said moving. means, means tomove said buck member from a lower pressing position to an elevatedloading position, and means to coordinate the motion oi the buck memberwith the motion of the intermediate element.

25. In a pressing machine, in combination,

work-supporting means, heated work-pressing means spaced fromandpositioned above said work-supporting means, further work-supportingmeans and heated work-pressing means posi gagement with saidfirst-mentioned work-pressing means anda work-receiving position spacedtherefrom, means for moving said second-mentioned work-pressing meansfrom a position in pressing engagement with said first-mentionedwork-supporting means and a position spaced therefrom, means to exertpressure between said first-mentioned pressing means and saidsecondmentioned work-supporting means, and means to exert pressurebetween said second-mentioned pressing means and said first-mentionedworksupporting means.

26.- In a pressing machine, in combination, a buck member, a headmember, means to position said head member above and spaced from saidbuck member, an intermediate element comprising an upper buck portionand a lower pressing portion, means for so spacing said portions as toprovidea recess therebetween for the reception of work, means comprisingmotive fluid-actuated means for moving said intermediate element intopressing engagement with said head member, means for exerting pressurebetween said element and said member, means for moving said intermediateelement into pressing engagement with said buck member and into aposition so spaced from said head member that work may be readily placedupon the buck portion of said intermediate element, and means forexerting pressure between the pressing portion of said intermediateelement and said buck member.

27. In a pressing machine, in combination, a buck member, a head memberpositioned above said buck member, intermediate buck and headmembers'spaced from each other to provide a recess therebetween for thereception of work, means aflixed to said intermediate head member andcomprising a plurality of oppositely extending arms for moving saidintermediate members between a pressing engagement with said head memberand a pressing engagement with said buck member, means to position saidbuck member in work-receiving position when said intermediate membersare in pressing engagement with said head member, and means for exertingpressure between said head member and said intermediate buck member andbetween said intermediate head member and said buck member.

28. A pressing machine comprising, in combination, frame meanscomprising a plurality of spaced supporting elements, a lower bucksupported by and positioned between said elements, an upper headsupported by and positioned between said elements, intermediate buck andhead elements. positioned between said -i'rame elements, means formoving said intermediate elements between a position in pressingengagement with said head and a position in pressing engagement withsaid buck, means for exerting pressure between said head and saidintermediate buck, means for exerting pressure between said intermediatehead and said lower buck, and means to maintain said intermediate buckand said intermediate head in spaced relation throughout

